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Please note: Entries within this blog may contain references to instances of domestic abuse, dating abuse, sexual assault, abuse or harassment. At all times, Break the Cycle encourages readers to take whatever precautions necessary to protect themselves emotionally and psychologically. If you would like to speak with an advocate, please contact a 24/7 peer advocate at 866-331-9474 or text "loveis" to 22522.

Real Stories: The Relationship Blog

Part of being in a healthy relationship is communicating effectively, including when someone feels angry or disappointed. Disagreements and fights are bound to happen in any relationship, which is why it’s crucial to know how to fight fairly with a dating partner.
What is unfair fighting? It’s... Read More

A recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that within a year, 21 percent of high school girls and 10 percent of high school boys were physically or sexually assaulted by someone they dated. We often hear about the harmful impacts of physical or sexual abuse in... Read More

People view dating abuse victims as being overwhelmingly female. However, one in three teens experience some form of dating abuse, including male victims. And 35 percent of girls reported being the perpetrator at some point in their lives, while 37 percent of boys reported victimization.... Read More

June is Pride Month, and we celebrate all healthy and happy relationships, including relationships with gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans* people. Being a young person in a same-sex relationship should be as healthy and loving as a heterosexual relationship. However, LGBTQ relationships experience... Read More

We had a chance to interview Dr. Lisa Fontes, author of Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship, about what it means to be in a relationship where a partner uses coercive control as a form of dating abuse.
1. Tell us briefly about your book, Invisible... Read More

Going through a breakup is always difficult, no matter the circumstances. However, when someone has experienced unhealthy or abusive behaviors in a relationship, it can be even more challenging. Someone going through a breakup from a partner who used unhealthy or abusive behaviors can feel anxious... Read More

Break the Cycle has recently had the opportunity to have amazing conversations with global leaders working to end dating abuse in South India and Latin America through the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. This past week, we got to meet even more incredible leaders from... Read More

Dating violence does not affect the survivor alone -- it greatly affects other people involved in their lives, including children. Parents in a relationship experiencing unhealthy or abusive behaviors have to worry not just about their personal safety, but must consider the safety of their child or... Read More

Today’s Guest Blog comes from Rachel Dack, a relationship expert for DatingAdvice.com. Dack is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), nationally certified counselor and relationship coach. She is also a co-author of "Sexy Secrets to a Juicy Love Life," an international bestseller... Read More

Working to end dating violence across generations? Now that’s making a difference.
Joanne Caruso is a former Break the Cycle board member with two daughters. While dating violence isn’t something she has personally experienced, she felt as a parent it was an issue near and dear to her heart. So... Read More

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, during the month of April we will be featuring our partners across the nation in a Guest Blog Series on issues of sexual violence. Please be aware that this blog post references incidences of sexual violence, and may be triggering to some readers. This... Read More

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, during the month of April we will be featuring our partners across the nation in a Guest Blog Series on issues of sexual violence. Please be aware that this blog post references incidences of sexual violence, and may be triggering to some readers. This... Read More

It’s common for sexual assault survivors to question whether or not they should contact law enforcement and report their assault. While many believe that a survivor should report their assault right away, and may even be frustrated by a survivor’s hesitancy to do so, there are many reasons why a... Read More

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, during the month of April we will be featuring our partners across the nation in a Guest Blog Series on issues of sexual violence. Please be aware that this blog post references incidences of sexual violence, and may be triggering to some readers. This... Read More

Recently, we had the opportunity to have two incredible conversations with global leaders working to end dating abuse worldwide. As part of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, Break the Cycle staff met with South Indian dating violence advocates (link to... Read More

The campaign to end college sexual assault is going strong. Yet in middle and high schools across the country, parents and educators are ill informed, allowing sexual assault to go unaddressed. What is happening to our schools? Why is there such a lack of awareness in public schools about how to... Read More

From prom season to football season, students everywhere in middle and high school are navigating love, dating and relationships. Yet for all the relationships that are safe and healthy, one in five female high school students and one in 10 male high school students who date have been affected by... Read More

Break the Cycle met with five professional dating and sexual violence advocates from South India in our D.C. office on Friday, March 20th to discuss using social media to create public campaigns and to support the development of healthy relationships and their work. These amazing advocates are here... Read More

Twenty years ago, texting seemed like an impossible dream. Now, texting is a normal method of communication for many people, whether it’s texting friends, family or a partner. Highlighting the hold that technology has on our communication styles,, the Pew Internet and American Life Project... Read More

According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, approximately 39 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) men and slightly more than half of LGBTQ women experience abuse from their partners. Many LGBTQ youth face obstacles that heterosexual... Read More

This project was supported by Grant Number 2015-TA-AX-K012 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, US Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.